Expanded sitagliptin use accepted in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) have accepted the expanded use of sitagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in dual and triple therapy.

Sitagliptin can now be used within NHS Scotland for patients not achieving glycaemic control with sulphonylurea alone and in whom metformin is inappropriate, or with sulphonylurea and metformin when diet and exercise plus dual are insufficient.

The move follows a decision in draft NICE guidance on the use of newer agents for the management of type 2 diabetes recommended two DPP-4 inhibitors, sitagliptin or vildagliptin, second-line therapy in patients taking sulfonylurea or intolerant of metformin.